High school
Early 90's
When being a cholo was cool
They got all the girls
Nobody fucked with them
Respected
Running school
And neighborhood streets

Ninth graders
Youngsters
Something to prove
Gotta make a name for ourselves
Find the perfect place to throw a party
Invite nothing but juniors and seniors

The space didn't cost a dime
An unused store
Behind 2 bars
Marina Pacifica
Long Beach
Long way from home
For non driving 14 year olds
Money making venture
$5 a head
Friday night party
8pm-2am on the flyer
If you're from the hood: FREE
DJ gets the party started
Proper Dos
"Mexican Power"
Bass rattling the windows
Sound of 40oz bottle cap seals breaking
Girls start showing up
So do the cops
Twenty minutes in
As quickly as it started
Over

What the hell do we do now?
Close up shop
Head back up the 405 north
Overheard
Someone's parents are gone
After party
If you can call it that
Back to the hood
Dead end street
What was a dead night just got live
Bottles all over
Grab the tequila
Jose Cuervo Gold
Slam it on the table
14 year olds trading shots
Minutes later
Empty bottle
Burning bellies
And fuzzy vision
Courage galore
Older chicks
Let the rapping begin
Pants come down
Revealing what we'd like to give
What we have to offer
Giggling chicks
If only we were older
We're told
Pull up our pants
Jump in the truck
Head home
Drunk
Alone
With nothing
Except
Memories to last a lifetime
Two day hangover
And a promise to self:
Never drink tequila again

WELCOME TO SGVPQ

This is the website where you can sample poetry that has been published in the San Gabriel Valley Poetry Quarterly over the past few years. The final issue is #69 (Winter 2016). Each poet published in issue #69 was invited to attend the last publication party and reading on Saturday, March 19th between 3 pm and 5 pm inside the backroom of the Santa Catalina Branch of the Pasadena Public Library on 999 E. Washington Blvd. where they received a complimentary copy for showing up (a $5 value).

You can also order single issues for $7 (includes $2 shipping). This offer is available exclusively through PayPal (http://paypal.com/). When on PayPal, please select Send Money and make payment to kingfisher1031@charter.net

About the Editor

MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University Los Angeles, listed on Poets & Writers, founder of POETRYpeople youth writing workshops; publisher of the San Gabriel Valley Poetry Quarterly; leader of the Emerging Urban Poets writing and Deep Critique workshops; and host of the Saturday Afternoon Poetry reading series in Pasadena, California. Mr. Campbell has taught Creative Writing in the Upward Bound program at Occidental College and been a Guest Teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District for 31 years. Want a poet in your classroom, library, bookstore, coffeehouse, or event? Please email: poetrypeople@charter.net